The four-time league MVP told SI.com on Friday that he is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard the deal is expected to be four years for the maximum of $88 million.

MORE ON ESPN.COM

LeBron’s going home! Click here for the latest news and analysis of the King’s return to Cleveland. Full coverage »

“My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball,” James told SI.com in a first-person essay. “I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”

For James, it marks a complete turnaround from his original free-agent decision in 2010, when he bolted Cleveland for the Miami Heat, creating a Big Three with Dwyane Wade and Chris Boshthat went on to win two NBA titles in their four years together.

“The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys,” James said. “I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished.”

James informed Wade of his decision, sources told ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst. Bosh, who is out of the country, was informed through his agent, sources said.

More from ESPN.com

The Heat were in the mix for James again this time around. Team president Pat Riley traveled to Las Vegas to meet with James on Wednesday in an attempt to lure him back to Miami after the All-Star opted out of his contract following the team’s NBA Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

But James said no to Riley and the Heat, instead choosing a Cleveland team that picked him No. 1 overall in the 2003 draft out of St. Vincent-St. Mary, where he starred as a high school player in his native Akron, Ohio.

“Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked,” James told SI.com. “It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can.”

SVP & Russillo

TNT’s Charles Barkley discusses LeBron James’ departure from Miami, James’ announcement regarding his return to Cleveland, the Heat’s next moves and the state of the Cavaliers.

James spoke with Heat president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison Friday morning on the phone before James’ first-person essay was posted, sources said. ESPN.com reported incorrectly earlier that the Heat did not know of the decision until it was posted and were not expecting it. The Heat had left their meeting with James earlier this week in Las Vegas feeling good about their chances to retain him, even if it was on a short-term deal.

“I’m not having a press conference or a party,” James said in his essay. “After this, it’s time to get to work.”

The decision certainly was cause for celebration in Cleveland, however. The Cavaliers have been mired in four losing seasons since their trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2010, James’ last year with the team.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who saw James earlier this week at the LeBron James Skills Academy basketball camp, also commented.

“LeBron has a huge heart,” Krzyzewski told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz. “This decision is a great decision for him because he’s following his heart and he loves his home.”

Nike, James’ biggest endorser, released a statement that said: “Like basketball fans around the globe, we are excited to support one of the world’s greatest athletes as he enters the next chapter of his career. We look forward to seeing LeBron step back on the court in Cleveland.”

In the days leading up to LeBron’s decision, much was made of the infamous letter that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert had issued in the wake of James’ departure in 2010, calling James a “coward” for leaving. James addressed the letter in his essay.

“I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out,” James said. “Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?”

Gilbert weighed in himself on Twitter minutes after James’ announcement.

“I’m thrilled with the news,” new Cavaliers coach David Blatt told ESPN.com’s Jeff Goodman. “It’s exciting for the team, the state and for basketball. Life is full of surprises.”

Reaction to James’ decision was decidedly different in Miami than in Cleveland. Arison expressed disappointment on Twitter shortly after James’ announcement.

James, Bosh and Wade all exercised options in their contracts to become free agents this summer, but the thinking was that they would redo their deals to give the team financial flexibility in an effort to upgrade the roster.

Now, the future is uncertain in Miami. Sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Bosh is finalizing an agreement to return to the Heat on a five-year, $118 million deal after weighing a maximum-contract offer from the Houston Rockets. The team also is making a push to re-sign Wade. Aside from Bosh and Wade, the Heat currently have just four players who will be under guaranteed contract for next season.

James has spoken with former Heat teammate and free-agent forward Mike Miller about joining him in Cleveland, a source told ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst.

Cleveland’s Finest

When it comes to the Cavaliers, there’s no one better than LeBron James. He spent seven years with the team, and still ranks first in several major statistical categories. Here’s a look as he is set to return to Cleveland this season after a four-year stint with the Heat.

Totals

Rank

Points

15,251

1st

Minutes

22,108

1st

Playoff wins

42

T-1st

All-Star selections

6

1st

— ESPN Stats & Information

James spent seven seasons with the Cavaliers, averaging 27.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists and leading them in 2007 to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Spurs. The goal for him now will be to get there again with a Cleveland team that boasts All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and former Kansas star Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA draft.

Of Irving and James, Krzyzewski told Katz: “That will be a great, great duo … LeBron is a brilliant player and Kyrie is really smart, two players with great knowledge of the game and understanding of the game.”

James said he knows how hard it is to win a championship and that he is “realistic” about the team’s hopes next season — but optimistic.

“My patience will get tested. I know that,” James said. “I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys.”

Las Vegas sports books quickly adjusted their odds to win the 2015 championship. The Las Vegas Superbook made the Cavs the outright favorites at 3-1, while dropping the Heat’s odds all the way down to 100-1. The MGM moved the Cavs down to 7-2, co-favorites with the Spurs. William Hill and the Wynn sports books both moved the Cavs to 9-2.

Two months ago, the Cavaliers could be found as high as 60-1 to win the title, but money poured in over the last three weeks after James opted out of his contract with Miami. While the majority of wagers were small in size, the MGM, Nevada’s largest sports book, told ESPN.com that it took a $1,000 bet on the Cavs at 40-1. Sports book operator CG Technology said it took “some higher dollar amounts from respected guys” on the Cavs at 30-1.

ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell reported that the Cavaliers have confirmed they are not raising season-ticket prices in the wake of the news. The team sold $1 million in ticket sales on Wednesday on speculation alone, a source told Rovell.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Advertisements

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

mfirradiomedia

Luvproductionz Presents MFIR Radio (My Flow Is Retarded Radio) Base out of Brooklyn Founded by Luvy LV The Voice Murray In june 2009 MFIR Radio was formed to continue the Unsigned Hype of the music industry. MFIR Radio Supports Music of all kinds working to showcase each genre of music and talent. Not only playing music on air but teaching the artist what it is and it will take to succeed on the industry. With a successful year for the MFIR Radio team. It was Time for change. Boss man “Luvy LV The Voice Murray” Said “I want to come back in 2010 stronger than ever” So he took off a month ½ from doing the show to create and build a new team for the show and bring something new for the artist.
MFIR RADIO HAS BECOME ONE OF THE #1 ONLINE RADIO SHOWS AND PLACE FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA. WITH OVER 100K LISTENERS AND RAISING. WE HERE AT MFIR RADIO AND MFIR RADIO MEDIA (WWW.MFIRRADIO.COM) PROVIDE A SERVICE FOR ALL ARTIST AND COMPANIES WISHING TO GET MORE EXPOSURE. WITH THE MIXTAPE AND BATTLE ME FRIDAYS GOING MFIR RADIO HAVE BEEN SEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD. WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH WARNER BRO'S . DEF JAM, UNIVERSAL AND MANY MORE WHEN IT COMES TO MEDIA AND MUSIC WE KNOCK OUT THE OTHERS.
MFIR Radio with over 600,000+ listners and 600k followers we have made and branded ourselves as the #1 and leading platform for Hip-hop and RnB.
Lady Luck, Murda Mook, Case, Source mag, Akon just to name a few ppl who have passed thru the airwaves and sat to talk with us. We provide the best experience for all artist and all genre of music. MFIR Radio provide the best packages for to showcase and market them selves we also develope and teach the artist how to put themselves out there.
With our video,engineering team and marketing team we not only cover event but serve as a advertising platform for businesses
Also Nominated for 2011 "Online Radio of The Year"